![\"Saluda](\"https:\/\/steelcase-res.cloudinary.com\/image\/upload\/c_limit,dpr_auto,q_70,h_1024,w_1024\/v1484610910\/www.steelcase.com\/2017\/01\/16\/17-0077961.jpg\")
Marshall currently teaches seventh grade at Saluda Trail, in a community where the majority of students come from families living at or below the poverty level. In 2015, the school was one of 12 recipients of the Steelcase Education inaugural Active Learning Center Grant<\/a> bringing flexible mobile furniture, new technology and interactive learning tools to Marshall\u2019s students.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve brought life into our classroom. The first day students walked in they were shocked. They had never experienced this kind of environment and couldn\u2019t believe somebody cared enough to give this to them,\u201d said Marshall. \u201cThe engagement is incredible; students who have never been able to achieve come into this room and suddenly they\u2019re participating.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe engagement is incredible; students who have never been able to achieve come into this room and suddenly they\u2019re participating.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Following the classroom redesign, Marshall\u2019s 2015-16 seventh grade students completed assignments 98 percent of the time \u2013 up from her previous year\u2019s class who had a 52 percent completion rate. In addition:<\/p>\n 95% of students increased their end-of-year grade.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cAn increasing number of schools \u2013 from middle schools to universities – are exploring space design as a valuable educational tool,\u201d said Sean Corcorran, General Manager at Steelcase Education. \u201cAn active environment is the key to re-engaging students in the classroom, and we\u2019re continuing to develop tools that can help both students and teachers be successful.\u201d<\/p>\n An observational study<\/a> conducted by Steelcase researchers shows that space impacts behavior; the traditional classroom setup of desks and chairs aligned neatly in rows and columns is outdated and does not adequately support interaction needed to foster student success<\/a>. As an alternative, the Active Learning<\/a> environment supports flexibility, collaboration and blended learning through a combination of modern design and practicality.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fortunate to work in a school that believes in project-based learning; and now I have a classroom to support that. Our classroom is a place where students come to learn, talk, grow, dream, believe and achieve. This engagement transfers into their lives and makes them want to overcome obstacles while believing in their abilities to do so,\u201d said Marshall<\/p>\n As Marshall begins her second year teaching in the redesigned classroom, she is again tracking her new student\u2019s success. Positive results have already been observed during the first semester of the school year.<\/p>\n The application period for Cycle 4 of the ALC Grant <\/a>begins on Friday, December 1, 2017 and will remain open until Friday, February 2, 2018.<\/p>\n![\"Saluda](\"https:\/\/steelcase-res.cloudinary.com\/image\/upload\/c_limit,dpr_auto,q_70,h_1024,w_1024\/v1484611083\/www.steelcase.com\/2017\/01\/16\/17-0077965.jpg\")
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